Despite cold, utilities ask customers to reduce power use

10:37 AM,
Jan. 7, 2014

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As a polar vortex slams much of the nation with record low temperatures, Duke Energy and Owen Power are asking customers to use less electricity for the next 24 hours.

Duke Energy is targeting customers in the Carolinas, where Charlotte, N.C., recorded a low of 6 degrees this morning, and Columbia, S.C., fell to 13 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Charleston and Hilton Head Island both fell to 21 degrees.

Columbia's temperature today will only rebound to 30 degrees. Charlotte won't even make it out of the 20s. The high is expected to reach 24 before the low falls to 13 tonight. ...